Automatic reclosing circuit-breaker system



1,676,974 A. E. ANDERSON A 1*.Uf10llA'1'IC REGLOSING CIRCUIT BREAKERSYSTEM July 10,1928.

Filed April 15 1922 IIII'II lllllll Invent or: Arvipl. E.AHdBTSOh 0HisAotor-neg.

Patented July' l0, 1928.

UNITED STATES 1,676,974 PATENT oFFic .ARVID E. ANDERSON, OF SCHENECTADY,NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR'TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEWYORK.

JAUTOMATIC RECLOSING CIRCUITPIBREAKER SYSTEM..

Application filed April 15, 1922. Serial No. 552,870.

My invention relates to automatic reclosing circuit breaker systems andparticularly to such systems in which a plurality of C11- cuit breakersare arranged to be reclosed automatically. 7

My invention is especially adapted for use in an automatic reclosingcircuit breaker system in which the closing means of a plurality ofcircuit breakers are arranged to be supplied with energy from a commonsource such as a battery. In order to reduce the size of the source, andlimit the maximum instantaneous demand it is desirable to control thereclosing of the circuit breakers so as to reduce the number of circuitbreakers that can be closed simultaneously.

One object of my invention is to provide a new, simple and reliablearrangement of apparatus for controlling the automatic reclosing of aplurality of circuit breakers so as to limit the number of circuitbreakers that can be closed simultaneously.

My invention will be better understood from the following descriptiontaken in connection with the accompanying drawing and its scope will bepointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanyingdrawing Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an automaticreclosing circuit breaker system embodying my invention, and Fig. 2 is amodification of a portion of the system shown in Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing, 1 represents a plurality of circuits each ofwhich is arranged to be connected to a suitable source of current suchas an alternating current supply line 3 by means of a circuit breaker 2of any suitable type. As represented in the drawing the circuit breakers2 are of the well known type which is arranged to be held in its closedposition by means of a latch (not shown). Each circuit breaker isprovided with a closing coil 5 which when energized is arranged to closethe circuit breaker and with a trip coil 6 which when energized releasesthe latch and allows the circuit breaker to open. The closing coils 5and the trip coils 6 are arranged to be connected to any suitable sourceof current such as a battery 7. The circuit of each trip coil 6 extendsthrough auxiliary con tacts 8 on the respective circuit breaker andis'controlled by an overload relay 9 in the respective circuit 1. Theoverload relays are arranged to operate when the currents in therespective circuits 1 exceed predeter mined values. The circuit, of eachclosing coil 5 is controlled by a closing relay 10 which is arranged tobe connected to any suitable source such as the battery 7.

In order to prevent all of the circuit breakers 2 from closing at thesame instant, a timing mechanism 11 of any suitable construction isprovided whereby the circuits of the closing relays are adapted to becompleted in a predetermined sequence.

- The particular tinting mechanism 11 shown in the drawing comprises acontroller 12'which is arranged to complete the cir-'* cuits of therelays 10 in a predetermined sequence and a motor 13,'which ispermanently connected across the alternating cunrent circuit 3, fordriving the controller; The motor 13 is normally prevented from rotatingby means of a stop 14 which engages a projection 15 on the controller12.

'The stop 14 is arranged to be moved out of engagement with theprojection 15 by means of a release coil 16 which is arranged tobeenergized whenever any one of the circuit breakers is open. v

The controller 12 is provided with a plurality of sets of contacts 17which are adapted to be closed in a predetermined sequence as thecontroller is rotated by the motor 13. Each set of contacts 17 controlsthe circuit of one or more closing relays 10. As shown in the drawingeach set of contacts 17 controls the circuit of'only one closing relaycoil 10 but it is evident that any number of closing coils can beconnected in multiple, so that, if desired, more than one circuitbreaker may be closed at a time. The circuit of each closing relay 1()also extends through auxiliary contacts 18 on the respective circuitbreakers when the latteris open and contacts 19 of a starting which isalso arranged to be energized only when the respective. circuit breakeris open.

relay 20 associated with each circuit breaker and lockout relay 22associated therewith. The

lockout relays 22 are preferably of the hand reset type and are arrangedto be connected to any suitable source such as the battery 7 the batterythrough contacts 23 of the starting relay 20 associated with therespective circuit breaker.

The other end of each coil is connected to the lockout bus 25 which isarranged to be connected to the other side of the battery throughcontacts 24 of the controller 12 which .are arranged to be connectedtogether after the controller has closed the contacts 17 a predeterminednumber of times in apredetermined sequence.

Therefore it is evident that if any circuit breaker is open when thecontacts 24 are closed the lockoutrelay of the respective circuitbreaker is operated and deenergizes the relay 20 of the respectivecircuit breaker sothat it cannot be reclosed by any subsequent closingof the respective set of contacts.17 of the timing mechanism 11.

' Each starting relay 20 is provided with a set of contacts 28 which isarranged to connect the release bus29 to one side of the battery 7 Oneend of the release coil 16 of the timing mechanism is connected to therelease bus 29 and the other end of the release coil 16 is connected tothe opposite side of the battery so that whenever any one of thestarting relays 20 is energized the release coil 16 is energized and thestop 14 is moved out of engagement with the projection 15 so that thecontroller is free to rotate. As shown in the drawing it will be evidentthat whenever the stop 14 is. released the controller will make onecomplete revolution independently of the position of the stop 14. In

making this revolution the controller connects the sets of contacts 17together in a predetermined sequence determined by the position of thesegments on the controller.

ince it is desirable to reclose each circuit breaker a plurality oftimes before it is permanently opened by the operation of the respectivelockout relay 22 it is preferable to arrange the controller so that itwill close each circuit breaker a plurality of times during eachrevolution before the contacts 24 are closed. 1 In the particulararrangement shown in the drawing each set of contacts is closed twicebefore the contacts 24 are connected together.

In order to control the opening and closing of the circuit breakerindependently of the timing mechanism 11 I provide each breaker with themanually controlled switches 30 and 31. Each switch 30 is a trip switchand the normally open contacts 32 of the switch are connected inparallel with the contacts of the respective overload relay 9 so thatwhen the switch is operated it completes a circuit for the trip coil 6of the respective circu t breaker. In order to prevent the timingmechanism 11 from starting when a circuit breaker is opened by the isarranged when operated to complete through its contacts 36, a circuit,for the closing coil 10 of circuit breaker, which 1s independent of thecontacts '17 ot the controller 12 and contacts 19 of the respectivestarting relay 20. Each switch 31 may also be arranged to operate therespective switch to close its contacts 34 so that when thecircuitbreaker is subsequently automatically opened by an overload onthe respective circuit 1, the timing mechanism will operate to reclosethe circuitbreaker automatically.

The operation of the system shown'in Fig. l is as follows: Let it beassumed that all of the circuit breakers are closed and that the loadconnected to each circuit 1 is normal so that the contacts of all of theoverload relays 9'are open. The apparatus is therefore in the conditionshown. All of the relays 10, 2 0 and 22 are deenergized, none of thecontacts '17 of the timing mechanism '11 are closed, the projection 15of the timing mechanism 11 is in engagement with the stop 14, theauxiliary relay contacts 18 of all of the circuit breakers are open andthe auxiliary contacts 8 of all of the circuit breakers are closed. 7

\Vhen an overload occurs on any one of the circuits 1, the overloadrelay 9 in this circuit operates and closes its contacts and completesthe circuit of the trip coil 6 ofthe respective circuit breaker. Thiscircuit extends from one side of the battery, which we will assume forthis description is positive,

through the auxiliary contacts 8 of the circuit breaker in theoverloaded circuit, contacts of the overload relay 9 in the overloadedcircuit 1 to the negative side of the battery. The circuit breaker inthe overloaded circiiit then opens and in opening opens its auxiliarycontacts 8 and closes its auxiliary contacts 18,. The closing ot'theauxiliarycontacts 18 completes a circuit for the starting relay 20 ofthe open circuit breaker. This circuit extends from the positive side ofthe battery 7 through auxiliary contacts 18 on the open circuit breaker,contacts 34 of the switch 33, contacts 21 of the lockout relay 22associated with the open circuit. breaker, coil of the starting relay 20to the negative side of the battery. Starting relay 20 operates andcloses itscontacts 19, 23 and 28. The closing of: the contacts 28energizes the starting bus 29 by connecting it to the negative side ofthe battery. A circuit is then'completed for the release coil 16 of thetiming mechanism 11. This circuit extends fronu the positive side of thebattery 7 through the release coil 16, starting bus 29, contacts 28 ofthe starting relay 20 of the open circuit breaker to the the particularset of contacts 17 in the control circuit of the closing relay 10 of theopen breaker is closed this closing relay is energized. This circuitextends from the positive side of the battery 7 through the auxiliarycontacts 18 of the open breaker, coil of the closing relay 10 of thisbreaker, normally closed contacts 35 of the manually controlled closingswitch 31 associated therewith, contacts 19 of thestarting relay 20 ofthe open breaker, contacts 17 of the timing mechanism 11 to the negativeside of the battery. Closing coil 10 of the open circuit breakeroperates and connects the closing coil of the open circuit breakerdirectly across the battery 7. The energization of the closing coil'5closes the breakerwhich is held in its closed position by the latch (notshown). The circuit breaker in closing opens its auxiliary contacts 18and closes its auxiliary contacts 8. The opening of the auxiliarycontacts 18 deenergizes the relays and 20- of the respective breaker andthe deenergization of the relay 20 opens the circuit of the release coil16 provided no other relay 20 is energized due to some other circuitbreaker 2 being open. The timing mechanism 11, however, continues torotate and closes its contacts 17 and 24 until the projection engagesthe stop-14.

It will be observed that the closing of the sets of contacts 17 does notcomplete the circuits of the closing coils 10 controlled.

thereby unless the respective circuit breaker 2 is open, and thestarting relay is energlzed. Therefore,'the rotation of the controller12 has no effect upon the closing coils 10 of any circuit breaker thatis closed.

If the overload is still connected to the overloaded circuit 1 when thecircuit breaker 2 therein is automatically reclosed, the over-.'

load relay 9 again operates to open'the 'circuit breaker. As soon as thetiming mechanism again closes the contacts 17 in the circuit of theclosing relay 10 of the open cir-, cuit breaker, this breaker is againclosed. This cycle of operation is repeated a predetermined number oftimes if the overload or short circuit remains connected to the circuit.

After the timing mechanism 11 has connected all of the different sets ofcontacts 17 together a predetermined number of times in thepredetermined sequence, it closes its contacts 24. The closing of thesecontacts completes the circuits of the lockout relays 22 of all of thecircuit breakers that are open at this time and which have not beenpreviously locked out. The circuit of the lockout relay 22 of the openbreaker extends from the positive side of the battery through contacts23 of the starting relay 20 of the open breaker, coil of the lookoutrelay, lockout bus 25, contacts 24 ofthe timing mechanism 11 to thenegative side of the battery. The lockout relay 22 operates and since itis hand reset remains in its operated position after its circuit isbroken. In operating the lockout relay '22 opens its contacts 21 andinterrupts the circuit of the relay 20 of the open circuit breaker.-Relay 20 deenergizes and opens its contacts 19, 23 and 28. 'The openingof the contacts 19 opens the circuit of the closing coil 10 so that asubsequent reclosingof the proper set of contacts 17 of the timinginechanism'does not reclose the circuit breaker unless the lOCkQlltrelayhas been reset. The opening of the contacts 23 opens the circuit ofthelockout relay 22 so that this relay can not be energized by a subsequentreclosing of the contacts 24 of the timing mechanism 11. The startingrelays 20 therefore act as control relays for locked out, is open.

' It is believed that the manual control of the apparatus by means ofthe switchesI-ll) and 31 will be obvious from the above description.

From the above description it is evident that if the-short circuit oroverload is of such a character that it does not clear before thecircuit breaker has been automati- 1H) eally reclosed a predeterminednumber of times, the automatic operation of that particular circuitbreaker is rendered inoperative without affecting the automaticoperation of the other breakers.

It is also evident that by closing only a certain number of breakerssimultaneously a very small battery or other source is required.

When there are a great number of cir- 2" cuit breakers to be controlledand it is not desirable to have each set of contacts 17 control morethan one breaker, the size of the timing mechanism 11 becomes very largeand the time required to close all of the breakers sequentially is verylong. In order to overcome this a plurality of timing mechanisms 11 maybe provided thereby decreasing the time interval and rendering betterservice.

Fig. 2 which shows a modification of a portion of the system shown inFig. 1 shows one arrangement which may be used which does not have thisdisadvantage, A plural ity of timing mechanisms 11 are used, eachmechanism controlling a plurality or group of circuit breakers in thesame manner as above described. Another timing mechanism 40 is providedfor controllin the sequence in 'ivhich the plurality oi timing mechanism11 ,are released. This timing mechanism 40 comprising a controller 41 ofany suitable type which is arranged to close the sets of contacts 42 ina predetermined sequence and a motor 44 for driving the controller.Instead of having each release coil 16 connected directly to thepositive side of the battery 7 as in Fig. 1, they are arranged to beconnected by means of the contacts 42 of the controller 40. Therefore itwill be evident that as the timing mechanism 40 rotates the timingmechanisms 11 are arranged to be released in a predetermined sequence.In order to start the timing mechanism 40 whenever any one of thecircuit breakers opens, the circuit of the motor 44 is arranged to beconnected to any suitable source such as the battery 7 by means of therelays 45, one of which is associated with each group of breakers. Oneend of the coil of each relay 45 is connected to the starting bus 29 ofthe respective group and the other end is connected to positive side ofthe battery. The contacts of the relays 45 are connected in multiple andare arranged to connect the motor 44 directly across the battery 7 Theoperation of this modification is as follows. The opening of any circuitbreaker connects the starting bus 29 of the respective groups ofbreakers to the negative side of the battery in the manner abovedescribed. The circuit of the coil of relay 45 of the respective groupis thencompleted and this relay connects the motor 44'ot the timingmechanism 40 across the battery 7 and the motor starts operatin WVhenthe particular set of contacts 42 which controls the cireui; oi therelease coil 16 of the timing mechanism 11 associated with the group ofcircuit breakers, of which one is open, is closed, this release coil 16is energized and the respective timing mechanism 11 is released andoperates to automatically reclose the open circuit breaker in the samemanner as above described. As soon as the open circuit breaker closesthe respective group starting bus 29 is disconnected from the negativeside of the battery unless some other circuitibreaker in the group isopen. The motor 44 therefore stops unless some other circuit breaker isopen. Since each starting bus is deenergized' as long as all of thecircuit breakers in the respective groups are open it is evident thatthe closing of the contacts 42 does not energize therelease coil 16controlled thereby unless one of the circuit breakers in the respectivegroup is open.

a It may be desirable to so arrange the system that not more than onecircuit breaker in each group can be closed simultaneously and so thatthe chances of more than one 4 circuit breaker closing at any time isvery small. This may be done by arranging the timing mechanism 40 sothat each timing mechanism 11 will operate to effect one closing of allthe breakers controlled thereby before the succeeding timing mechanism11 is released but Will operate to effect the second closing of all ofthe circuit breakers controlled thereby before the succeeding timingmechanisms 11 have completed their operation.

While I have shown and described several modifications of my invention,I do not desire to be limited thereto but seek to cover .in the appendedclaims-all those modifications that fall within the true spirit andscope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is 1. In an automatic reclosing circuit breaker system, thecombination with a plurality of circuits, a circuit breaker in eachcircuit, a closing coil foreach circuit breaker, and means for openingeach circuit brealn-u. upon the occurrence of an abnormal condition onthe respective circuit, of a timing mechanism operative in response. tothe opening of any one of said circuit breakers to control successivelythe energization of said closing coils.

'2. In an automatic reclosing circuit breaker system, the combinationwith a pluaffect the reclosing of'the respective. circuit breaker apredetermined number of times.

3. In' an automatic reclosing circuit breaker system, the combinationwith a plurality of circuits, a circuit breaker in each circuit, aclosing coil for each circuit breaker, and means for opening eachcircuit breaker upon the occurrence of an abnormal condition on therespective circuit, of a timing mechanism operative .in response to theopening of any one of said circuit breakers to control successively theenerglzation of said closing coils, and means associated with I I p v Weach circuit breaker and controlled by said timing mechanism and theposition of the respective circuit breaker to/prevent the automatlcreclosingrof the respective c1rcu1t breaker after said timmg mechanismhas operated to effect the reclosing of the respective circuit breakerof tlmes.

4. In an automatic recloslng c1rcu1t a predetermined number breakersystem, the combination with a plus rality of circuits, a circuitbreaker in each circuit, a closing coil for each c1rcu1t breaker, andmeans for openlng each c1rcu1t breaker upon the occurrence of anabnormal condi;

tion on the respective circuit, of a-timing mechanism operative inresponse to the opening of any one of said circuit breakers to controlsuccessively the energization of said closing co ls, and meansassociated wlth each circuit breaker and controlled by said timingmechanism and the position of the respective circuit breaker to remov'ethe control of said timing mechanism from said circuit breaker.

5. In an automatic reclosing circuitbreaker system, the combination witha plurality of circuits, a circuit breaker in eachopening of any one ofsaid circuit breakers to circuit breaker and controlled by said timcontrol successively the energization of said closing coils, and meansassociated With each ing mechanism and the position of the rebreakerupon the spective circuit breaker to remove the control of said timingmechanism from said circuit breaker and to prevent the energization ofthe closing coil of the respective circuit breaker by said timingmechanism.

6. In an automatic reclosing circuit breaker system, the combinationwith a plurality of clrcuits, a circuit breaker in each circuit, aclosing coil for I each circuit breaker, and means for openlng eachc1rcu1t occurrence of an abnormal condition on the respectivecircuit,'of a conmg of any one of said trol circuit for each closingcoil, contacts in each control circuit controlled by the position of therespective circuit breaker, other contacts in 'each control circuit, anda timing mechanism operativein response to the opencircuit breakers toeffect the operation of said last mentioned contacts in a predeterminedsequence.

7. In an automatic. reclosing circuit breaker system, the combinationwith a plurality-of circuits, a circuit breaker in each circuit, aclosing coil for eachcircuit breaker, and means for opening each c1rcu1tbreaker upon the occurrence of an abnormal condition on the respectivec1rcu1t. of a control circuit for each closing coil, a set of contactsin each control circuit controlled by the position of the respectivecircuit breaker, a second set of contacts in each control circuit, atiming mechanism operative in response to the opening ofany one of saidcircuit breakers to effect the operation of said second sets of contactsin a predetermined sequence, a third set of contacts in each controlcircuit, and

means associated .,Wll3l1 each circuit breaker and controlled by saidtiming mechanism and the position of the respective circuit breaker forcontrolling the operation of the third set of contacts in the respectivecontrol c1rcu1t.

8. In an automatic reclosing circuit breaker system, the combinationwith a plurahty ofcircuits, a circuit breaker in each circuit, a closingcoil for each circuit breaker,

and means for opening each circuit breaker upon the occurrence of anabnormal condition on the respective circuit, of a control circuit foreach'closing coil, a relay in each controlcircuit adapted to effect theenergizetion of the closing coil 'of the respective circuit breaker whenthe respective control circuit is completed, a set of normally opencontacts in each control circuit,- means associated with each circuitbreaker for closing the set of contacts in the res ective controlcircuit when. the circuit brea er is open, a second set of normallyppencontacts in each control c1 rcuit,a tlming mechanism operative inresponse to the opening of any one of said circuit breakers to effectthe operation of said second sets of contacts in a predeterminedsequence, a third set of contacts in each control c1rcu1t, arelayassociated with each circuit breaker and adapted to control controlcircuit, and acircuit for eachrelay controlled by the position of therespective. c1rcu1t breaker and said timing mechanism.

9. In an automatic reolosing circuit breaks ou the respective circuit,-of acontrol circuit for each closing coil, a relay in each controlcircuit adapted to effect the energization of the closing coil of therespective circuit breaker when the respective control circuit iscompleted, a set of normally open contacts in each control circuit,means associated' with each circuit breaker for closingthe set ofcontacts in the respective control circuit when the circuit breaker isopen, a second set of normally open contacts in each control circuit,atiming mechanism operative in response to the opening of any one ofsaid circuit breakers tO'BffBG'i) the opera.- tion of said second setsof contacts in a predetermined sequence, a third set of contacts thethird set of contacts in the respective no v I breaker system,

with each circuit breaker and adapted to control the third set ofcontacts in the respective control circuit, and a circuit for each relayadapted, to be completed when the respective circuit breaker is open andthe timing mechanism has operated to effect the closing of the secondset of contacts in the respective control circuit a predetermined numberof times, 1 I

10. In an automatic reclosing circuit breaker system, the combinationwith a plurality of circuits, a circuit breaker in each circuit, aclosing coil for each'circuit breaker, and means for opening eachcircuit breaker upon the occurrence of an abnormal condition on therespective circuit, of a control circuit for each closing coil, a relayinveach control circuit adapted to effect the energization of theclosing coil of the respective circuit breaker when the respectivecontrol circuit is completed, a set ofnormally open contacts in eachcontrol circuit, means associated with each circuit breaker for closingthe set of contacts in the respective control circuit when the circuitbreaker is open, a second set of normally open contacts in each controlcircuit, a timing mechanism operative in'response to the opening of anyone of said circuit breakers to eflect the operation of said second setsof contacts in a predetermined sequence, a third set of contacts in eachcontrol circuit, a manually reset lockout relay associated with eachcircuit breaker and vadapted 'to control the third set of contacts inthe respective control circuit, and a circuit for each relay adapted tobe completed by said timing mechanism after the same has operated toeffect the closing of the second set of contacts in the respectivecontrol circuit a predetermined number of times. I

11. In an automatic reclosing circuit the combination with a pluralityof circuits, a circuit breaker in each circuit, a closingcoil for eachcircuit breaker, and means for openin each circuit breaker upon theoccurrence 0% an abnormal condition on the respective circuit, of acontrol circuit for each 'closin coil, a relay in each control circuitadapte to effect the energization of the closing coil of the respectivecircuit when the circuit breaker is open, a sec-' ond set of normallyopen contactsin each cuit breaker when the respective control circuit iscompleted, a set of normally open contacts in each control circuit,means associ: ated with each circuit breaker forclosing the set ofcontacts in the respective control cir-v control circuit, a timingmechanism operative in response to the opening of any one of saidcircuit breakers to effect the operation of-said second sets of contactsin a predetermined sequence, a third set of'contacts ineach controlcircuit, a' manually reset lockout relay associated with each circuitlay,

breaker and adapted to control the third set of contacts in therespective control circuit, a circuit for each relay adapted to becompleted by said timing mechanism after the same has operated to effectthe closing of the second set of contacts in the respective controlcircuit a predetermined number of times, and normally open contacts inthe circuit of each lockout relay adapted to be closed when therespective circuit breaker is 12. In an automatic reclosingcircuitbreaker system, the combination with a plurality of circuits, acircuit breaker in each circuit, a closing coil for each circuitbreaker, and means for opening each circuit breaker upon the occurrenceof an abnormal condition on the respective circuit,

to effect the operation of said second sets of contacts in apredetermined sequence, a

third set of contacts in each control circuit,

a manually reset 1 kout relay associated with each circuit b eaker andadapted to control the third set of contacts in the respective controlcircuit, a circuit for each relay adapted to be completed by said timingmechanism after the same has operated to effect the closing of thesecond set of contacts in'the respective control circuit a predeterminednumber of times, normally open contacts in the circuit of each lockoutrelay,

a control relay associated with each lockout relay and arranged tocontrol the contacts in the circuit of the res ective lockout reacircuit for each 0 the control relays adapted to be completed when therespective circuit breaker'is open, and contacts in the circuit of eachcontrol relay adapted to be operated by the respectivellockout relay to.render the control relay inoperative.

13. In an automatic reclosing circuit breaker system, the combinationwith a plurality of circuits, a circuit breaker in each circuit, aclosing cOil for each circuit breaker, and means for opening eachcircuit breaker upon the occurrence of an abnormal conditionon'therespective circuit, of a timing mechanism operative in response tothe openmg .of any one of said circuit breakers to controlsuccessivelythe energization of saith closing coils, a manuall controlled switchassociated with each circuit breaker and adapted to effect the openingof the-respectiye circuit breaker, and means associated With eachmanually controlled switch and adapted to remove the control of saidtiming mechanism from the respective circuit breaker when the respectivemanually controlled switch is operated. a p

14. In an automatic reclosing circuit breaker system, the combinationwith a plu-' rality of circuits, a circuit breaker in each circuit, aclosing coil for each circuit breaker, and means for opening eachcircuit breaker upon the occurrence of an abnormal condition on therespective circuit, of a timing mechanism adapted to controlsucccssivclythe energization of said closing coils, arelay assow ciatedwith each circuit breaker adapted to effect the operation of said timingmechanism, a circuit for each relay adaptedto beuzlcsed upon the openingof the respective circuit breaker, a manually controlled switchassociated with each circuit breakerand adapted toeflect the openingthereof, cont-act's in the circuit of each of said relays arranged to becontrolled by the respective manuall controlled switch so that saidtiming mec ianism is not rendered operative by the opening of therespective circuit breaker when produced" by the operation of therespective manually controlled switch.

15. In an automatic reclosing circuit breaker system, the combinationwith aplurality of circuits, a circuit breaker in'eacli .circuit, aclosing coil for each circuit breaker, and means for opening eachcircuit breaker uponthe occurrence of an abnormal condition on therespective circuit, of a control circuit for each closing coil, a relayin each control circuit adapted to effect the energization ofytheclosing coil of the respective circuit breaker when the respectivecontrol circuit is completed, a set of normally open contacts in eachcontrol circuit, means associated with each circuit breaker :for closingthe set of contacts in the respective control circuit whenthe circuitbreaker is open, asecond set of normal- 1y open contacts in each controlcircuit, a

t ming mechanism operative in response to the opening of any one of saidcircuit breakers to effect the operation of said second sets of contactsin a predetermined sequence,-

a third set of contacts in each control circult, a manually resetlockout relay associated with each circuit breaker and adaptedto controlthe third set of contacts in the respective control circuit, acircuitfor each relay. adapted to be completed by said timing mechanismafter the same has operated to effect the closing of the second set ofcontacts in the respective control circuit a predetermined number oftimes, normally open contacts in the circuit of each lockout relay, acontrol relay associated with each lockout relay and arranged to controlthe contacts in the circuit of the respective lockout-relay, a circuitfor each of the control relays adapted to be completed when therespective circuit breaker is open, contacts in the circuit of eachcontrol relay adapted to be operated by'the respective lockout relay torender the control relay inoperative, a manually controlled switchassociated with each circuit breaker and adapted to effect the openingof the respective circu t breaker, and

normally closed contacts in the circuit of in'each control circuitadapted to effect the energization of the closing, coil of the re,-

'spective circuit breaker; when. the respective controlc-ircuit iscompleted, a set of normally open contacts in each control circuit,means associated with each circuit breaker for closing the set ofcontacts in the respective control circuit when the circuit breaker isopen, a second set of normally open contacts in each control circuit, atiming mechanism operative in response to the opening of any one of saidcircuit breakers to effect the operation of said second sets of contactsin a predetermined sequence,- a third" set of contacts in each controlcircuit, a manually' reset lockout relay associated .with each circuitbreaker and adapted to control the third set of contacts in therespective control circuit, ,a circuit for' each relay adapted to becompleted by said timing mechanism after the same has operated to effectthe closing of the second set of contacts in the respective controlcircuit a predetermined numberof times, normally open contacts in thecircuit of each lockout relay, a controlrelay associated with eachlockout relay and arranged to control the contacts in the circuit of therespective lockout-re-- lay, a circuit for each of the control relaysadapted to be completed when the respective circuit breaker is open;contacts in the circuit of each control relay adapted to be operated bythe respective lockout relay to render the control relay inoperative, amanually controlled 'switchassociated with eachcircuit breaker andadapted to effect the opening of the respective circuit breaker,normally closed contacts in the circuit of each control relay adapted tobe opened by the operation of the manually controlled switch associatedwith the "respective cir cuit breaker, and 'a secondmanually controlledswitch associated with each circuit breaker adapted to complete acircuit for the respective closing coil and to close the normally closedcontacts in the circuit of the respective control relay.

17. In an automatic reclosing circuit breaker system, the combination ofa plurality of circuits arranged in groups, a circuit breaker in eachcircuit, means for opening each circuit breaker, closing means for eachcircuit breaker, a timing mechanism for each group of circuits arrangedto control successively the closing means of the respective group. and acommon timing mechanism operative in response to the opening of any oneof the circuit breakers to control successively the operation of saidgroup timing mechanism.

18. In an automatic reclosing circuit breaker system, the combination ofa plurality of circuits arranged in groups, a circuit breaker in eachcircuit, means for opening each circuit breaker, a timing mechanism foreach group of circuits arranged to control successively the closingmeans of the respective group, operating means for each group timingmechanism, and a common timing mechanism operative in response to theopening of any one of the circuit breakers for. controlling isuccessively said operating means.

19. In combination, an electric circuit, a circuit breaker in saidcircuit, means for effecting the opening of said circuit breaker, andmeans for effecting the reclosing of said "circuit breaker comprising amovable member arranged when moved in a certain direction to effect. thereclosmg of said circuit breaker, means for driving said member in saiddirection, means for holding said memher in a predetermined positionagainst the torque exerted by said driving means, and

means controlled by the position of said circuit breaker for releasingsaid holding vopening of said circuit breaker for releasing said holdingmeans.

21. In combination, an electric circuit, a circuit breaker in saidcircuit, means for effecting the opening of said circuit breaker, andmeans for efl'ecting the reclosure of said circuit breaker comprising amovable member arranged when moved in a certain direction to effect thereclosing of said circuit breaker, driving means arranged to exertcontinuously a torque for moving said member'in said direction, andmeans controlled by the posit-ion of said circuit breaker for holdingsaid member in a predetermined position against the torque exerted bysaid driving means when said circuit breaker is closed.

22. In combination, an electric circuit, a circuit breaker in saidcircuit, means for effecting the opening of said circuit breaker,

and means for effecting the-reclosure of said circuit breaker comprisinga movable member arranged when moved in a certain direction to effectthe reclosing of said circuit breaker, driving means arranged to exertcontinuously a torque for moving said member in said direction, andmeans controlled by the respective positions of said circuit breaker andsaid movable member for preventing further movement of said member ifsaid circuit breaker is open when said member reaches a predeterminedposition.

23. In combination, an electric circuit, a circuit breaker in saidcircuit, means for efiecting the opening of said circuit breaker, andmeans for effecting the reclosure of said circuit breaker comprising amovable member arranged when moved in acertain direction to effect thereclosing of said circuit breaker, driving means arranged to exertby thepositions of said circuit breaker and -said movable member for holdingsaid movable member in a' predetermined position against the torqueexerted by said driving means when said circuit breaker is closed andfor preventin further movement 0 said member if said circuit breaker isopen when said member reaches a predetermined position.

24. In combination, an electric circuit, a circuit breaker in saidcircuit, means, for

effecting the opening of saidcircuit breaker,

and means for eifecting'the reclosing of said circuit breaker comprisinga movable-member arranged to be moved in a certain direction to effectthe reclosing of said circuit breaker, drivin means for said member,means for holdlng said member in a predetermined position against thetorque exerted by said driving means, and means controlled by theposition of said circuit breaker for controllin said holding means.

25. In com ination, an electric circuit, a circuit breaker in saidcircuit, means responsive to anabnormal condition of said circuit foreifectingthe opening of said circuit breaker, electroresponsive meansarranged when energized to effect'the closing of said circuit breaker,'a circuit for said electroresponsive means, automaticswitching meanscontrolled by the position of said circuit breaker for effecting thecompletion of the circuit of said elcctroresponsive means after saidcircuit breaker has been open a predetermined length of time, contactsin the circuit of said electroresponsive means, a lockout relay forcontrolling said contacts, and a circuit breaker in said circuit, meansresponsive to an abnormal condition of said circuit for effecting theopening of said circuit breaker, electroresponsive means arranged whenenergized to effect the closing of said circuit breaker, a' circuitforsaid electroresponsive means, av movable member arranged to be operatedin response to the opening of said circuit breaker to effect thecompletion of said circuit of said electroresponsi-ve means a pluralityof times with predetermined time intervals between successivecompletions thereof, contacts in the circuit of said electroresponsivemeans, a relay for controlling said contacts, a circuit for said relaand contacts in said. relay circuit contro led by the osition of saidcircuit breaker and by sai movable member.

27. In combination, an electric circuit, a circuit breaker in saidcircuit, means responsive to an abnormal current in said circuit forefi'ecting the opening of said circuit breaker, electroresponsive meansarranged when energized to efi'ect the closing of said circuit breaker,a circuit for said electro responsive means, a movable member arrangedto be operated in a. predetermined direction in response to opening ofsaid circuit breaker to effect the completion of said circuit of saidelectroresponsive means at predetermined intervals .while said circuitbreaker is open, contacts in the circuit of said electroresponsivemeans, a lockout relay arranged when energized to effect the opening ofsaid contacts, a circuitIfor said lockout relay, and contacts in saidlockout relay circuit arranged to be closed by said movable member afterit has moved far enough to effect a predetermined number of reclosuresof the circuit breaker.

28. In combination, an electric circuit, a circuit breaker in saidcircuit, means responsive to an abnormal current in said circuit foreffecting the opening of said circuit breaker, electroresponsive meansarranged when energized to effect the closing of said circuit breakcr,acircuit for said electrore sponsive means, a movable member arranged tobe operated in a predetermined direction in response to opening of saidcircuit breaker to effect the completion of said circuit-of saidelectroresponsive means at predetermined intervals while said circuitbreaker is open, contacts in the circuit of said electroresponsivemeans, a lookout relay arranged when energized to effect the opening ofsaid contacts, a circuit for said lockout relay,

contacts in said lockout relay circuit arranged to be closed by saidmovable member after it has moved far enough to effect a predeterminednumber of reclosures of the circuit breaker, and contacts in said relaycircuit arranged to be closed only when said circuit breaker is open.

- In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 14th day ofApril, 1922.

ARVID E. ANDERSON.

